East Devon residents to have their say on new ward boundaries
The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is asking people across East Devon to comment on its draft proposals for new council ward boundaries.
An eight-week public consultation on the recommendations begins today and will end on 3 April 2017. The consultation is open to anyone who wants to have their say on new council wards, ward boundaries and ward names across East Devon.
The Commission’s draft recommendations propose that the East Devon should have 60 councillors in the future (one more than the current arrangements), across 30 wards (two fewer than there are now). The recommendations outline how those councillors should represent 12 x three-councillor wards, six x two-councillor wards and 12 x one-councillor wards across the district. Ward names could also change.
The full recommendations and detailed interactive maps are available on the Commission’s website at consultation.lgbce.org.uk and www.lgbce.org.uk
Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said:
“We are publishing proposals for a new pattern of wards across East Devon and we are keen to hear what local people think of the recommendations.
“Over the next eight weeks, we are asking local people to tell us if they agree with the proposals or if not, how they can be improved.
“Our review aims to deliver electoral equality for local voters. This means that each councillor represents a similar number of people so that everyone’s vote in council elections is worth roughly the same regardless of where you live.
“We also want to ensure that our proposals reflect the interests and identities of local communities across East Devon and that the pattern of wards can help the council deliver effective local government to local people.
“We will consider all the submissions we receive - whoever they are from - and whether your evidence applies to the whole district or just part of it.”
The Commission wants to hear as much evidence as possible to develop final recommendations for East Devon. If anyone would like to make a submission to the Commission, please email: reviews@lgbce.org.uk or write to the Review Officer (East Devon) by 3 April 2017:
The Review Officer (East Devon)
Local Government Boundary Commission for England
14th floor, Millbank Tower
London SW1P 4QP
Have your say directly through the Commission’s consultation portal: https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/8778
Link to the dedicated web page for the East Devon electoral review:
www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/south-west/devon/east-devon
For more updates, follow the Local Government Boundary Commission on Twitter @LGBCE
